Open source software development company MIP Holdings has Web-enabled Genesis Medical Scheme`s systems to allow service providers and members to access their own records via the Internet, and to allow membership application via the Internet at the fund`s Web site: www.gmed.co.za.
MIP undertook the Web-enablement project using its innovative open source Astra2 rapid application development tools.
The project is part of the second phase of a R3.6 million contract that has included the successful roll-out of MIP`s MedStar medical aid administration and Astrafin financial systems. Genesis contracted MIP to deliver a fully integrated medical scheme administration system when it cancelled its administration agreement with Fedsure Medway, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fedsure Health, in 1999.
Genesis members can now enter Genesis`s secure Internet site to gain access to their own information records such as outstanding claims payments, savings balance information, claims and contribution history, dependant details, and individual membership benefit rules and information. Meanwhile, Genesis service providers now have access to information pertaining to outstanding claims and past claims from the scheme. Members and service providers are able to benefit from accurate, real-time, up-to-date and secure information, while prospective members benefit from fast turnaround of applications.
A key feature of the new system is the savings account module. Since Genesis is a new-generation medical scheme, the savings account forms a key part of the management of members` medical expenses, as all out-of-hospital expenses are paid from the individual savings accounts. Members are now able to check the status of both their in-hospital and out-of-hospital accounts online.
"Many medical scheme administrations are experiencing serious problems as a result of the inability of their administration systems to manage and control savings accounts and contributions at member level," says Warren Venter, principal officer of Genesis Medical Scheme. "The ability of Medstar to interface with our debit order collection system, the government payroll system and other electronic transfer systems has not only streamlined our administration processes but has resulted in improved service levels to both members and service providers.
"The flexibility to custom design Medstar to suit our specific requirements combined with the professional and competent team at MIP played a significant role in our decision to use the system."
MIP has now begun the next phase of the Web-enablement development which includes a facility to allow companies whose staff are members of Genesis to have full access to monthly reconciliation records. This facility will also give brokers access to a list of the members they have introduced to the scheme. Brokers will be able to check that members they have introduced have been processed and are covered. Venter emphasises that brokers will have access only to name and membership number details. This is because Genesis respects the privacy of individual members and does not allow employers or brokers access to the medical details of its members.
"We are very proud of the work we have delivered for Genesis Medical Scheme," says Richard Firth, chairman and CEO of MIP. "Everything we have been able to deliver for Genesis is representative of the paradigm shift our Astra technology is bringing about in the Web development arena. Key features of this new paradigm include rapid delivery of new systems, high flexibility of systems to accommodate the constantly changing market environment our clients operate in, and creative, innovative use of the Internet to enable our clients to deliver personalised, highly customised, convenient Web-based services to their clients." The system runs on a Sun Server.
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